Laurel man seized in attack on woman, 49

21-year-old charged in rape attempt and murder try in Arundel

A 21-year-old Laurel man was being held without bail yesterday on charges that he attempted to rape and murder a woman in Eastport, authorities said.

Herberto R. Paredes of the 1400 block of Bowie Road was arrested and charged shortly after the attack at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to Annapolis police.

The woman had driven into a parking lot of an apartment complex in the 800 block of Monroe St. when a man got into her van and pointed a handgun at her head, police said.

After ordering the 49-year-old Stevensville woman to remove her clothing, the man pulled the trigger of the gun twice, but it did not fire, said Officer Hal Dalton, a police spokesman. The woman escaped and yelled for help, Dalton said. Neighbors called police.

As police were questioning one man, another emerged from behind bushes and asked police what they were doing by his car. The woman immediately identified that man as her attacker, Dalton said.

Police said the man had the woman's keys when arrested. Officers did not recover the gun.

Paredes was charged with attempted murder, attempted rape, assault and weapons violations, police said. He was being held at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center in Annapolis.